Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,134, Absalom Gifford, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
born
Gifford, Absalom
8/3/34
CONTENTS
carded

2022/3
NEW YORK
Absalom Difford
Heilman in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Miles of the Regt t - commanded by Col l Canfield in the Comp y time for 1 Year
Inscribed on the Roll of M. Vols. at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Aug. 1832 and to Martha A. Heachley W. Hechimes Co.
Arrears to the 4th (Mar ch ) $ 80 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sep r 35 20 $100
Revolutionary Claim, June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. Castle Clerk Book C Vol. 3 Page 58
Lt: S. Fitzgerald Dec r 16/57
Hon ble W m H. Seward
Mch 16/59

No 11505
Absalom Lifford Wethersfield New York
Admitted Private 12 months 16 P. 381
May 5 33
Sam Hackley Lucius & Nelson B.M. Wethersfield New York

BRIEF in the case of  Absalom Gifford  of Herkimer Co  in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 66  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Enlisted In 1782 after 1 Private Gen. James Leary Maj. Col. Col. John C. Col. Chas. Miles con: troops Lieut. Wilson  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Town of Warwick. New Sonam Co. Conn  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By Jeremiah Gifford who served with him also traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Geo. B. Whiting Examining Clerk.

Albany Mar 23 rd 57
Com of Pensions Dear Sir
Absalom Gifford
Drew a pension at Albany viz of half pay he commenced drawing in 1828 I think and drew half pension to the day of his death as near that time he died in 1849 or 1850 at the time of his death there was a few months pay behind
He was in the war 18 months his wife died 20 years previous to his death and he left no widow if his children entitled to the other half of the pension as any thing on account of his service if they are pleased to send the necessary forms and instructions to be observed in obtaining what may be due
I have written in behalf of one of his children

PS Direct to S. Fitzgerald at Albion Calhoun Co Mich

DECLARATION IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss. COUNTY OF HERKIMER, }
On this ninth day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the court of Common Pleas , now sitting, Abraham Gifford a resident of German Flats in the county of Herkimer and State of New-York, aged 66 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That he enlisted in the service of the United States about the first day of April 1782, in a Company commanded by Capt Charles Miller, in Col. Samuel Canfield's Regiment of Connecticut Troops. That one Wilson was the Lieutenant and the deponent cannot recollect the name of the Ensign. That James Denny was the Major of said Regiment. That he enlisted for a year - drew his pay for a year, and eventually served for a full year, and as he believes a few days more. That at the time of his enlistment he resided in the Town of Norwich, County of New London & State of Connecticut. That he was a volunteer. That he was in no battle. That he marched through Colchester, East Haddam, Durham, New Britain, Farmington, to Stamford in said State, where he was stationed during the whole time above mentioned - and when he was discharged, & discharged but received no written discharge. That he has no documentary evidence of his service.
And once - and that his services are proved by Deponent Gifford whose affidavit is hereto annexed, who served with this deponent.
 1. That he was born in Cortlandt Manor in the County of Dutchess & State of New York, in the year 1746.  2. That he has no record of his age. He had one which was consumed by fire.  3. That when called into service he lived in the Town of Norwich, County of New London & State of Connecticut; that since the Revolutionary War he has lived in Norwich aforesaid, Patericktown, so called, in the County of Dutchess aforesaid, Galway in the County of Saratoga & State of New York, and from thence he removed 

Nearly forty years ago, to the Town of German Platts, County of Clinton & State of New York, where he has since since resided and now resides.
4. That he was a volunteer, having voluntarily enlisted into service as before stated. 5. That he served with no regular troops, and that he knows only the following Regiments of Troops to wit: 1. Col. Campfield's, to which he belonged, and Col. Huntington's of the Regular Troops. and that the circumstances of his service are herein before stated, 6. That he received no written discharge 7. And he states the names of Aaron Ward of Warren and David Moore of Spencerville, persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood
who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Absalom Gilford

14505 Absalom Gifford's
Application for Pension.
Under the Act of Congress of June 7, 1832.
32
Make Certificate
14505 Absalom Gifford Pension

State of New York Oneida County ss
On this 26 th day of September 1832 personally appeared Jeremiah Gifford of Vienna in said County aged 71 years who being duly sworn deposes and says that he is well acquainted with Absalom Gifford now of Green Hatt's Neck and formerly of Norwalk in the state of Connecticut and that he knew him in the Revolutionary war the said Absalom being a brother of this deponent. — And the said Absalom Gifford enlisted in April 1782 at Norwich Conn. for one year with this deponent in a company commanded by Capt Charles Miles in Col Samuel Caafield's Reg t Conn Troops, and served one year at Stamford in said State and were discharged in April 1783 the whole term of service having been completed year with Gifford
Oneida County ss I hereby certify that the above named Jeremiah Gifford whom I believe to be a man of truth and veracity personally appeared before me and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit the day and year above written —
J. H. M c W ay Esq r of Oneida County ss Counsellor

State of New York Oneida County ss. I Geo. Brown Clerk of said County do hereby Certify that Joshua Hathaway Esq. before whom the within affidavit purports to have been taken & sworn: was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the County Courts of said County - And I am well acquainted with his hand- writing & believe his name subscribed to the foregoing Certificate to be genuine
Witness my hand & Seal of Office this Twenty Sixth day of September A D 1832 Geo. Brown Clerk
affidavit G. Brown

We, David Minor and Aaron Ward
residing in Germantown residing in Warren Berks County
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Gifford who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Sixty six years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
David Minor Aaron Ward
CERTIFICATE OF THE COURT.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court fur- ther certifies, that it appears to them that David Minor who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman  citizen & credible person resident in Germantown and that Aaron Ward who has also signed the same, is a resident in
Warren and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, Julius C. Nelson clerk of the court of Carbon  of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abraham Gifford for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ninth day of October 183 2 .
Julius C. Nelson Clerk
[Handwritten mark or flourish]

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Absalom Gifford a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. 13134
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 1. 1782 1 year. Charles Miel Samuel Canfield Conn.       
Battles engaged in, None. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Norwich, New London Co. Conn. Date of application for pension, Oct. 9. 1832. Residence at date of application, German Flatts, Herkimer Co., N.Y. Age at date of application, 66  born in 1766 at Cortland Manor, Dutchess Co., N.Y. Remarks: His claim was allowed.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Perkins
13-134 INVALID.
1913 May 10. History to Mrs. Alden Swazze. 1913 Dec. 18. Mrs. Alden Swazze that second had been formed and not practice of Bk. to send another. H. E. S.
No. 13-134
Abraham Siford Pr. New Man
Act: June 17th 32
Index - Vol. 1 , Page 142
[Arrangement of 1870.]

For M rs - M rs 1833 Martin Luther
Geo. B. Whiting Com of Pensions Washington D.C.
Springfield Jan 23 rd 1833

Abraham Gifford
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abalom Gifford which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Two Witnesses
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? Yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. † Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes  No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Miss H. Lewis
Washington
Whitney Passmore
Washington N.C.

Washington March 14. 1859.
Dear Sir,
Will you have the goodness to give me the information which will enable me to answer the inquiries both of Mr Horton, and also to remit his letter to me with your reply
I am very respectfully Yours obedient servant Philip H. Serven

The Honorable
George C. Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D. C.

ALDEN SWAYZE CANTON, PA.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I would like the records of the following Revolutionary soldiers:
1 - Washington Cole
I do not know what state he enlisted from, but at different times he lived in Connecticut, Philadelphia, Pa. and died in New York State over one hundred years of age.
I would like to know where he enlisted from, and where he died.
2. - James Mason. of Delhi? Delaware Co N.Y.
3 - William Beemer, of Beemer, N.Y.
4 - Absalom Gifford, he lived at - Hambleton Hambleton Co., N.Y. but might possibly

ALDEN SWAYZE CANTON, PA.
II
have enlisted from Massachusetts.
I would like all the records you have of them.
Yours Respectfully Mrs Alden Swayze Canton, Pa.

ALDEN SWAYZE CANTON, PA.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I would like the Pension Records of the following Revolutionary Soldiers and will give you all the data I can.
1 Samuel Fellows of Shelburne Mass. enlisted May 10-1775: as private in Capt. Agrippa Hille Co. Col Asa Whitcomb's regiment. Muster roll dated Aug 1-1775. 2. Ebenezer Bartlett of Mass. turned out at the Lexington Alarm. was in Captain Thomas Whitis Co., and was later in the defense of Boston. 3 Daniel Woodward. enlisted in the Berkshire Co. Mass. regiment. Private in Capt. David Brown's Co. under Col. Miles Powell.

ALDEN SWAYZE CANTON, PA.
4 John Cole lived in Connecticut during the Revolution. He received a pension but his wife died before he did. His name was Lydia Joslin. He might have remarried. He died at Lake George New York. over one hundred years of age.
5 Would also like copy of Certificate No. 20223. of Absalom Gifford.
Yours Respectfully
Canton Pa.
Mrs Alden Swayze.
December 11-1913.

T.L.M. Rev. War Section.
December 18, 1913.
Mrs. Alden Swayze,
Canton, Pa.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 11" and received the 13" instant, you are advised that this Bureau is unable to furnish the record of a soldier of the Revolution, unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his services, and a careful search of the records of this Bureau fails to show such claims on file for Samuel Fellows, Ebenezer Bartlett and Daniel Woodward, described by you.
As you allege that John Cole who lived in Connecticut during the Revolution and died at Lake George, New York, was a pensioner, and the records fail to show such a claim, in order to make a further search, it is requested that you furnish the names of some officers under whom he served, places of residence at enlistment and at date of application for pension and approximate dates of birth and death.
The record of Absalom Gifford Sur. File No. 13,134, was furnished you May 10, 1813. It is not the practice of this Bureau to furnish more than one such statement to the same person.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

T. L. M. Rev. War Section.
December 18, 1913.
Mrs. Alden Swayze,
Canton, Pa.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 11" and received the 13" instant, you are advised that this Bureau is unable to furnish the record of a soldier of the Revolution, unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his services, and a careful search of the records of this Bureau fails to show such claims on file for Samuel Fellows, Ebenezer Bartlett and Daniel Woodward, described by you.
As you allege that John Cole who lived in Connecticut during the Revolution and died at Lake George, New York, was a pensioner, and the records fail to show such a claim, in order to make a further search, it is requested that you furnish the names of some officers under whom he served, places of residence at enlistment and at date of application for pension and approximate dates of birth and death.
The record of Absalom Gifford Sur. File No. 13.134, was furnished you May 10, 1813. It is not the practice of this Bureau to furnish more than one such statement to the same person.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.